Information, Publications and Public Relations - IPPR Uniport

15/07/2025

21/06/2025

THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT – UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT
Events that took place from Monday, 16th to Friday, 20th June 2025
1. Preparations are in top gear for the hosting of the University’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and 35th Combined Convocation Ceremony, scheduled to hold from Monday, 21st to Sunday, 27th July 2025. As part of the Convocation activities, Honorary Doctorate Degrees will be conferred on distinguished Nigerians in recognition of their laudable contributions to the nation across various fields.

2. It was a moment of joy for final-year medical students as the results of the MBBS examinations in Medicine, Surgery, and Preventive & Social Medicine were released. With this, the University is set to induct 106 new medical doctors. Congratulations to the successful students for their hard work and perseverance. We also commend the Provost, Prof. Angela Frank-Briggs, the deans, and other members of the College of Health Sciences for their commitment to excellence.

3. The University continues to strengthen its international partnerships. Notably, Mr. Chinemerem Ugoaru, a staff member in the Department of Foreign Languages, demonstrated excellent proficiency by teaching in Chinese during an exchange session in China. The delegation to China was led by Prof. Kalu Wosu. We appreciate the Consul General of China in Lagos for the continued support and collaboration.

4. To strengthen the culture of quality research, the Research Ethics Committee, chaired by Prof. Christopher Obiorah, organised a three-day intensive training workshop. The aim was to equip committee members with the requisite expertise to effectively discharge their responsibilities.

5. The Committee of Provost and Deans (CPD) convened to review preparations for the 35th Convocation. After extensive deliberation, members were instructed to ensure that all degree results for the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 sessions are finalised to enable the Registry make adequate preparations.

6. Discussions on collaboration in areas of exchange, research, and training in Management Sciences were held with Darlington Peter Onojaefe from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), South Africa, during his visit to the University.

7. The University hosted Joe and Heather Diioro from the United States of America as part of their engagements at the Youth Friendly Centre. The visit was facilitated by Emmanuel Osigwe, an alumnus. The centre aims to engage students in productive extracurricular activities.

8. The University participated in the 5th Lecture Series of the Faculty of Law, which explored governance in the oil sector and the energy quadrilemma. The well-attended lecture was delivered by Dr. Eddy Wifa, Senior Lecturer at the School of Law, University of Aberdeen, UK.

9. The 2025 Annual Conference of the Association of Women Librarians in Nigeria (AWLIN), Rivers State Chapter, was hosted at the University. Themed Breaking Barriers and Embracing Innovation, the conference featured a keynote address by the University Librarian, Prof. Helen Emasealu. We commend Dr. Millie Horsfall, the State Chairperson, for organising a successful event.

10. The University received the report of the Committee on Artificial Intelligence Policy, chaired by Prof. Chidiebere Ugwu. The recommendations contained in the report will guide future institutional decisions on AI integration.

11. The Vice-Chancellor has constituted the Convocation Planning Committee for the 35th Convocation Ceremony, chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic). The Convocation is expected to set the stage for a grand celebration of the University’s 50th Anniversary.

12. The Anatomical Students’ Society of Nigeria, University of Port Harcourt Chapter, conferred an Award of Honour on the University in recognition of its commitment to student development.

13. Similarly, the Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering presented an Award of Appreciation to the University for its commitment to excellence and support for staff and students. Special commendation goes to Engr. Mrs. Nkolika Nwazor and her team for their dedication to the growth of the Department.

14. We are pleased to report the completion of the new building for the Department of Fisheries in the Faculty of Agriculture. The facility will soon be put to use.

15. The University Students’ Mall, an initiative led by Comrade Lawrence Harmony and built by the students, was officially commissioned. We commend the Student Union Government (SUG) Executive Council for this laudable achievement.

16. An interactive session was held with provosts, deans, directors, and heads of departments and units (both teaching and non-teaching). Organised in collaboration with the SERVICOM Unit, headed by Dr. Austen Sado, the meeting offered an opportunity to review service delivery and identify areas for improvement.

17. As the second semester of the 2024/2025 academic session progresses, the University Management paid unscheduled visits to lecture halls and was satisfied with the level of compliance by staff and students.

18. Final-year students of the Faculty of Law commenced their LLB examinations. Management visited the examination venue to encourage the students and wish them success. We acknowledge the efforts of the Dean and staff of the Faculty for their unwavering commitment.

31/05/2024

THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 27th - Friday 31st May, 2024.

1. We took over the newly built faculty of Computing. The building is one of the Federal Government's provisions under the NEEDS Assessment program and we are grateful for this development.

2. Master Wisdom Ototakovie, a student of our A Level School – Ashgrove Academy presented to us, a beautiful portrait in recognition of our student-friendly policies and kind gestures to the Ashgrove Academy. We received the gift with pleasure and commended the Management of the School for their good work.

3. We are glad to announce that the University of Port Harcourt is set to host the best E-Sports for the year 2024. In preparation for the event, we received the Chairman of the Sports Council of Nigeria, Prof. Ken Anugweje and his team and had discussions on modalities for E-Sports competition which is fast becoming popular in the 21st century.

4. We appointed Prof. Ezaal Okowa as Head, of the Economics Department, Faculty of Social Sciences. It is worth noting that Prof. Ezaal Okowa is the first female Professor of Economics at the University and the first female Head of the Economics Department. We congratulate her and hope for a great impact on the Department.

5. As the first semester examinations gradually came to an end, we went around the examination halls to evaluate the conduct of the examination and we were satisfied with the level of compliance. We would like to use this medium to appreciate our amiable workforce for their efforts.

6. We received Mrs Darling G. Okwein, and her team from the Federal Inland Revenue Service who came to assess the level of compliance with financial regulations in the University and we are glad to report that the University of Port Harcourt was found to be in acquiescence with financial regulations.

7. We received Dr. Etinoza Bazuaye, Acting Head, of the Department of Mathematics and members of his research team who came to inform us of progress made by the team in changing the narrative of mathematics as a subject that should be loved and not dreaded by students. We had fruitful discussions and wished them the best in their research area of interest.

8. We inspected and commended the Faculty of Management Sciences for the face-lift of the faculty building. The new look has made the building more attractive to both users and passers-by.

9. The students in Goodluck Jonathan Hostel commended the Management of the University for coming to their aid, through periodic night patrol of the Vice-Chancellor and detailed security personnel. Information reaching us is that there have been no strange faces/movement around the windows and other hostel areas since the VC began his security patrol.

10. The Management of the University in the company of the Student Union, inspected some facilities in the University and thereafter, had fruitful discussions on some areas of concern.

11. We participated in the maiden film practical and exhibitions of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies and there we rendered the new National Anthem after it was signed into law by the National Assembly. The University of Port Harcourt is reportedly the first to have formally rendered the new Anthem after it was signed into law on 29th May 2024.

12. The Nigeria Integrity Watch, conferred on us the “Special Leadership Merit Award” in recognition of our professionalism and continued commitment to the growth of Education in Nigeria.

13. In a collective celebration, we joined the Institute of International Trade and Development to celebrate the 2024 World Trade Day. The well-organised event had resource persons and experts in attendance and we had a robust time on the subject of trade, Development and Small & Medium Enterprises.

14. We played host to the Close-Out Seminar of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) which was held on Thursday 30th May 2024 to mark the robust impact made by PTDF in Nigeria's Tertiary institutions from fro2019 to 2024. Issues of gas leakage, its remedy, and other activities of the PTDF Professorial Chair were thoroughly discussed. We are grateful for such a research intervention.

15. We inaugurated Taskforce on underground assets of the University and charged them to ensure strict supervision of our optic fibres, cables and other underground assets to halt incessant damages and theft.

16. In showcasing the scorecard of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office, the University of Port Harcourt was featured as one of the beneficiaries of Federal Government Intervention Programmes in the Education Sector. We commend and congratulate the President for the laudable achievements thus far as we look forward to more fruitful yields in the nation and particularly the Academia.

17. The University of Port Harcourt was chosen to plant a tree in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). This was made known to us during the courtesy visit of the Local Organizing Committee of the Institute, ably led by the Chairman, Rev, Francis Asuk. We had fruitful discussions with the NIPR and urged them to regulate the profession to curb quacks who claim to be Public Relations Practitioners.

18. Similarly, we received the Chairman of the Nigeria Library Association, Rivers State Chapter, Dr. Chidiaka Nyemezu who was accompanied by the University Librarian. The visit was to inform us of preparations for their National Conference scheduled to be held here at the University in July 2024. We had fruitful discussions and promised unalloyed support for the event.

We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the week under review

05/02/2024

BIRTHDAY ALERT Happy birthday to a Professor of criminology, and a social Science Researcher with a specialisation in Gender, contemporary slavery issues…

24/11/2023

*THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT*.

_The following events took place in the University from Monday 20th, - Friday 24th, November, 2023._

1. As we open new vistas of intellectual based partnership, we received Dr. Donovan Stanberry of the University of West Indies, Mona Campus Jamaica and his Team on an Exchange and Linkage visit to the University and we had very fruitful discussions on mutual benefits.

2. It was a delight to declare open the maiden ASUU Uniport Inter-Faculty 2023 Games. The games featuring varieties of sporting activities in tracks and fields, football competition and indoor games had faculties compete amongst themselves. The idea of the competition was to promote fitness, improve health and provide an avenue for social recreation amongst academics. We encouraged all participating faculties to use the event to forge healthy relationships.

3. In recognition of the changing narrative occasioned by Information Technology (I.T) in our workplaces and our commitment to appropriate staff training and development, we commenced the Train-the-Trainer ICT workshop facilitated by Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUnd).

4. We received the National Universities Commission (NUC) Team for the accreditation of the Department of Environmental Education, Faculty of Education. We are glad to report that it was a seamless accreditation process and we have also received the report of the team at the exit meeting.

5. The University recently commenced an annual Innovation Week to showcase and support innovations from staff and students. As part of the gains for the just concluded 2023 Innovation Week, three (3) students of the University whose research works were adjudged to be highly innovative have been chosen to participate in the innovation exhibition and workshop in Nairobi, Kenya.

6. We had the opportunity to lead other members of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigeria Universities (CVCNU) on behalf of the Chairman of CVCNU, Prof. Salami on a condolence visit to the Niger Delta University on the death of late Professor Gowon Edoumiekumo, former Vice-Chancellor of the Niger Delta University who also served as the Chairman of CVCNU. The Committee condoled with the entire Management, Staff and Students of the University and family of the deceased.

7. We participated in the Stakeholders Engagement and Sensitization Programme on the establishment of the National Education Repository and Databank System and the National Policy for its Implementation organized by the National Universities Commission for all Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities.

8. The Student Union, commenced her Week with a jean carnival. The weeklong event will enable the student community to undertake social and recreational activities. We urged the student body and community to conduct their activities in an orderly manner as the University Management will frown at anti-social behaviours.
We also charged the student body to conduct free, fair and credible elections and ensure peaceful transition.

9. As a way of reporting our modest achievements, challenges and prospects, we convened an emergency 74th meeting of Congregation to inform members of staff of the positive actions of the University Management towards improving staff welfare


We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the week under review.

Thank you and have a great weekend.

16/09/2023

THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday, 11th - Friday, 15th September, 2023.

1. The Joint Universities Preliminary Examination Board (JUPEB) has nominated the University of Port Harcourt as host for the 2024 JUPEB Moderation Exercise of Test Item. The Moderation Exercise is a meeting of the Board and JUPEB host institutions to consider and approve JUPEB results amongst other issues to be discussed. The University of Port Harcourt, a founding partner of the organization is a member of the Governing Board.

2. We received Executive members of the Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON) who paid a courtesy call to the University Management after they facilitated a university-sponsored training for the university drivers. The Institute presented a Safety Ambassador Award to the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his commitment to ensuring a Safe Learning Environment in the University.

3. As quality infrastructure counts in university ranking and in our readiness to commission the Ultra Modern Convocation Arena donated and built by the Rivers State Government, we undertook an on-the-spot inspection of the facility in preparation for its commissioning by His Excellency, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, Executive Governor of Rivers State on 2nd October 2023.

4. We participated in the 23rd Public Lecture of the Faculty of Management Sciences titled "Marketing Concepts: Is Its Rendition Animated for the 21st Century?" delivered by Prof Hart Awa. We are glad to report that it was enriching and educative.

5. Similarly, we participated in the inauguration of the Uniport-Lisa, a laboratory for interdisciplinary statistical analysis. This newly inaugurated Laboratory at the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Sciences will greatly impact teaching and learning.

6. We commissioned the face-lift of the Lulu Briggs Health Center. We are glad that the Centre now wears a new look.

7. As we strive to keep to International Teaching and Learning Standards, we took a tour of lecture halls/classrooms and laboratories to assess the suitability of practical tools in use at the laboratories and to see the level of interaction in the classrooms in fulfillment of our teaching mandate.

8. We attended the 12th Emmanuel Egbogah legacy lecture series which was held at the Emerald Energy Institute of the University, the lecture was organized by the Chair Occupant, Emmanuel Egbogah Chair in Petroleum Engineering, and the 7th Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Joseph Ajienka in collaboration with the EE Foundation and SPE addressed the issue of Climate Change and the Geopolitics of Energy Transition. The keynote speaker, Prof. Chidi Ibe a renowned scholar had a classic presentation of the theme. We wish to use this medium to commend the 7th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ajienka for putting together such a unique event.

9. The University of Port Harcourt owns and runs the 88.5 Unique FM. As a way of addressing the power supply limiting its operations, we commissioned an alternative power supply to enable the radio station to carry out seamless operations. We commend the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, and the Director, School of Public Health for the collaborative effort towards achieving this feat.

10. The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy in collaboration with Cruise Point Publishers presented an award of exemplary leadership to the Vice-Chancellor in recognition of his outstanding contributions to humanity.

11. We inspected the ongoing work at the Departments of Pharmacology and Philosophy and we are delighted at the progress of work at both sites.

12. We received an invitation from the Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners of Nigeria has nominate the Vice-Chancellor to be conferred with the prestigious award "Outstanding Social Work Programme Award for 2023".

13. The academic staff of the Department of Geography & Environmental Management led by the Head of the Department paid a courtesy call to the University Management and presented an Award to the Vice-Chancellor from the Nigerian Society of Geographers South – --South Zone in recognition of his contribution to his outstanding support to the development of Geography in the zone.

14. We endorsed the Lafta Unstoppable show to be organized by a fourth-year student of the University. We would like to use this medium to encourage staff to attend the event

15. We participated in the 2nd Dinner/Award Night of the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN). The array of learned persons in attendance was quite impressive.
We applauded the first set of graduates for their academic performance and assured them that the University Management has almost concluded preparations for their timely admission into the Nigeria Law School. We also encouraged all students to focus on their studies and shun all forms of vices.

16. We were at the Atlantic Hall of the Hotel Presidential to grace the Investiture Ceremony of Professor Rosemary Ogu as the President of the Medical Women Association of Nigeria.
We are proud of the nominations of our staff in different spheres of life. We are indeed a unique Uniport

We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the weeks under review.

Thank you.

16/09/2023

*THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT*

_The following events took place in the University from Monday, 21st - Friday, 25th August 2023_.

1. We received the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Amaopusenibo Siminialayi Fubara (GSSRS), and some other senior members of the Rivers State Government on an inspection visit of the ongoing construction of the state-of-the-art new Convocation Arena in the University. The Governor commended the University on her latest ranking as the number one (1) University. He added that the construction and handover of the facility will ensure the University maintains its ranking position and also further increase the image and global visibility of the University.

2. University rankings serve as a measurement for gauging the visibility of universities through quality research, learning, and infrastructural development. The latest 2023 UniRank report has placed the University of Port Harcourt as the number one (1) University in Nigeria.

3. As we continue to attract quality partnerships to the University, we received the kind donation of a befitting cricket pitch from the Cricket Federation of Nigeria and expressed our gratitude for the benevolence. We are hopeful that this will be maximally utilized by the Sports Institute.

4. One of our strategic partners, Cypher Crescent, in conjunction with Integral Computing and Resource Centre organized a certification and training program (soft skills) for our 4th year Engineering and Geology students.

5. We hosted the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) training workshop for Procurement Officers of government-owned institutions. We are glad that the University was chosen as the Conference Centre by the BPP.

6. As we continue to place a premium on healthy relationships with our host communities, the University Management held a crucial meeting with the Nyewe-Ali Choba and the Rumuwehia/Rumuikpoku families of the Choba Community and had fruitful discussions on areas of mutual interest

7. The 27th Valedictory Lecture of the University of Port Harcourt was held on Wednesday 23rd August and was delivered by Professor Prince C. Nwakanma of the Department of Finance and Banking, Faculty of Management Science, with the title "The Crisis in Nigeria's Federal Universities: Is Cash the Culprit".
We are glad to report that the lecture was successful and we wish Prof. P.C. Nwakanma a happy retirement.

8. As we edge closer to the formal handover of the CBN Centre for Excellence to the University, we received a high-powered delegation from the Central Bank of Nigeria led by Nimi Ekine on a courtesy visit to the University Management.

9. In recognizing University-based unions as critical stakeholders in the University, we attended the regular Congress of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and re-iterated our support for the Union.

10. The Professor Bridget Nwanze Committee presented her report to the University Management on the case of sexual harassment by a Lecturer in the Faculty of Management Science.

11. We received the Welfare, Peace and Universal Human Rights Initiative (WEPAUHRI) and paid a courtesy visit to the University Management and in recognition of our staff /students friendly policies, the group conferred on the Vice-Chancellor a certificate of award as the Ambassador Extra-ordinary for Peace, Welfare, and Socialism.

12. Similarly, we received the Management Team of Ashgrove Academy, University of Port Harcourt who also presented an award of Excellence to the Vice-Chancellor.

13. We inspected the renovation work carried out on the Civil/Environmental Laboratory Workshop of the University.

14. We were at the PS Hall to supervise the Research Method Examination of the MSc. Students of the Faculty of Social Sciences. We are glad to inform you that the examination procedures were strictly adhered to.

15. The Management of the University led by the Vice-Chancellor was in the audience of His Excellency Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State. We congratulated him on his emergence as Governor of Rivers State and the excellent journey so far in a peaceful and prosperous Rivers State. We thanked him for all support from the state government to the University. Issues affecting the University were presented to the Governor. The visit was a remarkable one for the University of Port Harcourt

We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the weeks under review.